Sunday, November 6, 2011

(UPDATE from Scott: This subject proved to be so divisive and drew so many comments Monday that I wrote an extended column about it for Tuesday's newspaper, including what the Panthers' official policy is on the stand-vs.-sit debate. Here's the link).

I got an interesting email from Eileen, who sits in Section 115 at all the Panther games, the other day. Since the Panthers have another home game next Sunday against Tennessee, I thought I'd share it and see what you think. Eileen believes, basically, that most fans at Bank of America Stadium -- and the stadium staff -- want people in their seats most all the time, and she takes exception to this.

Here's Eileen's letter:

"Longtime Panther fan here who has gone to just about all home games since the very beginning. I've noticed lately, that more and more fans are yelling at other fans to sit down during the games.

"Now, I'm not talking about excessive standing or inconsiderately blocking the view of a small child, senior citizen, or handicapped person. I'm talking about that they don't seem to want you to stand AT ALL. Not even when we are on D and it's third down? Or when we score? Stadium staff seems to be enforcing this as I have seen them tell fans to sit down!

"Just curious if you have had anybody else comment about this or what the majority's opinion might be? I want to be a courteous fan but I can't help but think that If you want to sit down for the whole game... STAY HOME ON YOUR COUCH and watch it on TV." (End of letter)

OK, I'm back.... Well, as that the old fight song says, "Sit and Cheer for the Panthers." No wait, that's not it. Anyway.... So what do yall think of Eileen's letter?

Would you rather sit, stand, or somewhere in between for the three hours of a normal Panthers game? Have you had experiences, good or bad, with people standing or sitting too much around you at a Panther game?

Please keep the comments clean, and if you will, when you do comment include the section where your PSLs are if you have them.

90 comments:

Personally I have had other fans tell me to sit down on numerous occasions. It baffles me. This is the NFL!! A sport full of passion, emotion and intensity. Go to a Pittsburgh or Green Bay game and let me know what happens when you tell someone to sit down while rooting for the HOMETOWN team. Get up and make some noise. Bank of America stadium isn't a place to gossip and people watch. It's a place to watch football and cheer on the Panthers.

i have 4 seats 2 on front row and 2 right behind those in a section in the upper deck. I go to every game and recently it happened to us. We were making a comeback against the Saints and some guy who only comes once a year started yelling for us to sit down. I love the Panthers and have made a considerable investment in them. Not club seat investment , but big for me and my family. It got heated and just killed the mojo! I don't think they told Fireman Ed to sit down at a Jets game and I'm sick of it myself!!!!

I am a Panther fan from Australia, so I can't share any personal experiences, but I am absolutely appalled when I ready complaints on here about the majority of fans sitting in their seats and staying quiet during games!

People yelling at you to sit down and be quiet when we're on D and it's 3rd down?? How about telling them to STAND UP!? It should be the other way around. Personally I would rather see the stadium half full and people standing up and making some noise than have it sold out and everyone is acting like they are at a tennis game.

I plan on coming over next year specifically to catch a handful of games, and anyone that has the nerve to tell me to sit down and be quiet while I am cheering for my team will be less than pleased with my reaction.

This is why our fans are consistently mocked as a "wine and cheese" crowd. Not only do we sell 20% to 40% of our tickets to opposing fans (recently sat in section 106, surrounded by Vikings fans or non-fans) but we routinely forfeit any home field advantage. There's a reason stadiums with rowdy crowds produce more home wins and more opponent's false starts: the crowd can be a factor, and ours is not because of behaviour like this. WATCH THE GAME AT HOME IF YOU WANT TO SIT FOR 3 HOURS.

I also have friends who sell their tickets to opposing fans for whatever they get. They havent been able to sell the PSLs due to the economy, but would rather watch on bigscreen at a sports bar than endure the IDIOT penny loafer, khaki wearing bank-type snobs at that place

I think the problem with some fans standing to cheer on 3rd down is that most of the people in attendance at NFL games at Bank of America Stadium are not Panther fans. Maybe twenty percent? The other eighty percent are a mixture of opposing teams fans, a guy taking his girlfriend to an NFL game, someone who was given tickets and had nothing better to do on a Sunday afternoon. It's fitting the NFL logo is painted on the 50-yard line and not the Panthers team logo. Carolina doesn't have a home stadium, but plays it's "home" games on a neutral field in uptown Charlotte.

I went to a game at Soldier Field once. A guy in front of me kept standing up...WITHOUT a shirt...and it was like 30 degrees. Wasn't about to ask him to sit down...did ask him to share his drink, tho. I had a blast, actually. It was like an anti-BofA Stadium experience.

If we maintain this cheese and wine crowed reputation then how is that helping our team? Get your asses up on D and scream. On offense stand or sit but keep noise to a minimum. Time to build along with our young team.

years ago i ushered at the games. and the way i was trained was that you can stand at your seat all you want too. i tried to ask if between plays, timeouts, etc. if they would sit. just to try and get along, but they didn't have to.

People! Take a good example from the dutch crowd with soccer!I am a dutch fan and trust me even the small football clubs with a crowd around 5000 fans are screaming for there team to win! Here is a link http://youtu.be/pXoCG-OJ8i0 ...believe me..the fans make a team great!!

Section 101. My 8 year old son was told not to stand in the chair while I am holding on to him. This is the only way for him to see what is going on on when everyone else is standing. We love when everyone stands and is making noise and he should be able to enjoy the game just as much as everyone else. Unless the Panthers want to move us to Row 1, we will continue to stand. Imagine the PR nightmare if they try to remove him from the game.

Speaking as someone for whom it's pure torture to get out off of one of those low slug benches because of two knee replacements and being just plain old, I think she has a point. The fact is, I can't jump up and down like I was in an arobics class. I agree with the lady. I go to a game, a concert, even in Church and spend half my time looking at someone's butt! If I could, I'd be standing and cheering right along with the rest of them if I could. But about all I can do is Thank God the persons in front of me didn't have refried beans for lunch!

Attention Panther Organization: Can the Panthers create sections of the stadium that are for the "rowdy" fans? The passionate ones that act like a student at a college football game? Where they are standing for nearly the whole game and make noise when the home team is on defense? Make the PSL holder sign a form that they will "Stand and Cheer for the Panthers"?

Honestly, I think those sitting should be standing. This is sports, part of the allure of the game is being excited and being a part of the action. If you watch fans at other games, such as the Steelers and Packers everyone stands the whole game. Most college football games, everyone is standing and if you have ever seen a game at Cameron Indoor you better wear comfortable shoes. Standing is part of sports, standing is part of why fan bases are excited and into games, I think we need a no sitting rule!

I've had my upper level PSLs since the beginning and have never once been asked to sit down by anyone. I make it a point to stand more than usual when there is a fan on the opposing team sitting behind me! However, I would try to be courteous if there was an elderly person or child in those seats.

I have two seats on the front row. I will usually sit for 1st and 2nd and stand up on third (Unless its playoff, night game, or important game). I have rotating fans behind me so some people care and some don't. I have been told to sit down before which makes me just stand up more out of spite. My thinking is standing up cheering with and hearing the crowd noise is what makes going to a game different than watching on tv. If don't like people standing go home and watch it on TV

Sec 201 right below big cat. We don't have a problem in our section with people bitching about standing. I have heard there are a bunch of complainers around the stadium about standing and I'm glad they aren't in our section. We even try to get the big cat to stand and sometimes he does.

SUre, there are times where it's fine to sit down, like during a timeout, but sometimes I'm the only one standing and I always try to at least bend over or check the sight lines of the person behind as I know not everyone is able/willing to stand for every defensive stand, kickoff coverage, etc. I'm glad it's not a rule, and of course you want to be courteous to your fellow fans but standing during a game and making noise is what real fans do...once the 'Cats have been around for another generation we'll get rid of the UNC Whine and Cheese crowd who are there for the social aspect of ganmes. Go to Cameron Indoor, Bryant Denny, etc and you'll see student sections that don't even sit during timeouts. I agree that you have to accomodate those who are unable to stand, etc - but maybe those folks should be provided special seats with an unbustructed view where they can sit, and I would hate to deprive someone of the chance to witness a game due to disability, but if you have a problem with someone standing then get your lazy rear out of your seat or else stay home. Lastly, many times the person in front of your stands so you have to stand yourself - creating a chain reaction - and people still tell you to sit even though you wouldn't be able to see. Let them stand...and go shirtless and have stands, Uncle Jerry!

The guy who lets his kid stand in the seat......I understand where you are coming from. But this is an accident waiting to happen when your child steps back towards the back of the seat and it folds up. The stadium has to take all precautions, because if the child a child gets hurt, someone could sue the stadium and I'm sure the justice of this country will side with them. Not saying YOU would, but there are people out there looking for a hand out. It's really a shame. Kids now days don't take 25% of the risks we did when we were kids. As for standing vs sitting: If you CAN'T stand, look for getting seats in the handicap sections. If you DON'T WANT to stand, STAY HOME! If you want to talk to your friends on your cell during the game(provided you have service), STAY HOME or go shopping with them instead.

"many times the person in front of your stands so you have to stand yourself - creating a chain reaction - and people still tell you to sit even though you wouldn't be able to see"...........probably the best comment yet and very true.

Some people get confused and think that a football game is the opera. If you lack fan enthusiasm I think you should stay home. Or maybe they could have a special section for the uptight. However, excessive drunken celebration is debatable.

The Panthers should publish a fan guide requesting everyong to sit quietly in their seats, with hands folded on their laps, exorting the team to, "Repel them! Repel them! Make them relinquish the ball!"

Yes, I was one of those fans who told the people in front of me to sit down. They were REDSKINS fans, wearing the opposing team's jersey. They were standing during every minute of the first half until I finally told them to sit down. Believe, me I have no problem standing when it is 3rd down or when we are trying to make noise and get the crowd into it, but as an opposing team fan, you do need to show some respect to the hometown crowd. PS: They left with 5 minutes to go which led to some cheering by Panther Fans sitting 1-3 rows behind them.

This gets me really mad. Besids the fact every home game this year has had more opposing fans then panther fans. Cam and rivera r doing everything they can to bring a winning team here and no one supports them. Sick and tired of it! Man up panthers fans starting this sunday vs titans. I hope there r not more titans fans cause that would be sad. stand up and cheer

It's not a golf match. Home fans should be standing and rowdy while the Panthers are on defense and they should be quiet while the Panthers are lining up on offense. Cheer all you want in between plays!

saw the guy in 201 get asked for 4 his kid not to stand on the seat... know the show pro guy.. that is because the kids seat could collapse and the kid get hurt... and i also sit in 201... other than when John Kasey's wife used to sit in the section and she would yell and complain when someone dared to stand in front of her... never have ever heard of anyone ever once complaining....

The only time that I had the privilege to attend a Panthers game was about 4 years ago when they played Tampa Bay on a Monday night. It was an exciting game (and win) but all I really remember is being chewed out the whole time by a crabby couple behind me that got upset every time I stood up to cheer or in anticipation of a huge play. I still have a bad taste in my mouth about this and I'm glad someone else has brought this up. Let's change the "wine and cheese" perception everyone.

I was asked to sit down during the opening kickoff of the first ever game in Charlotte. Seriously!

The very few football fans in Charlotte need to start an organized movement to train the overwhelming majority of folks at the games how to be a NFL fan.

It would be amusing if it was not so embarrassing. I have seen Buffalo fans and Green Bay fans stop to make helpful suggestions to our fans for tailgating and in-game behavior. Maybe Jerry can pay for some NFL fan consultants to work with our fan base for a season.

We are the biggest joke in the NFL. And it does effect our ability to get free agents at good prices. They do not want to come to a city that has no big endorsement deals and no big fan support.

I do not see the waive while we are on offense as often, but that is not enough improvement.

When Defense is on the field and it's 3rd down I stand and get loud and I look around me at sections 125 and 127 who are all on their feet. Our section's butts are stuck to the blue.

I have had security called on me because I was standing and screaming (no obscenities!) by one of our seat neighbors who is not a PSL owner. I spoke with Panthers staff about it who told me this:

You can sit in your seat or stand in front of your seat. You are not allowed to stand ON the seat. You can yell and scream all you want as long as you keep it clean and directed toward the field.

Pretty simple rules. So the Panthers DO (as of 2006 when I inquired about this) encourage people to stand.

But our fan base sucks and that's what's going to have to change. The stadium could help by putting up signs that say "Quiet! Offense at work!" Especially on 4th downs! Why get loud and cheer then? Of all times? Idiots. SMH.

Props to the Panthers for putting the noise meters up on the scoreboards during Defensive 3rd downs.

BofA might be the worst place to watch an NFL game, period! You can't even begin to compare it to other stadiums. And lets not even get started on any kind of "home field advantage" talk. If you do try to get loud, there are ushers and police officers waiting to quiet you down.

Been saying this for years, but the Panthers never listen. We need some encouragement on the scoreboard on when to stand and cheer. Put a former player up there or something. People will be more inclined to get up if the scoreboards encourage it. Also, please don't play some slow, lame Lady Gaga song when the other team is driving down the field in the 4th quarter to take the lead!! (This happened in teh Vikings game). We need something that is going to pump up the crowd.

Scott, thanks so much for this blog post. This is a discussion that NEEDS to happen! I've had PSLs for the last 2 years (section 534), and though I've never been asked to sit down, I am appalled and embarrassed by the lack of fan fervor at B of A. I'm a 54 year-old woman, and I like to scream for my team. I am always appropriate and respectful, but I am LOUD! It's painful to see our defensive players out on the field waving their arms, trying to encourage the fans to get loud. I try to oblige every chance I get!

Coach Rivera has talked about our fan base, wishing that we had more of a home team advantage. I agree with all other commenters that we need to make B of A a REAL NFL stadium! I would be awesome to hear that other teams have to practice with noise machines to prepare to come into our house, because of all the fan noise. Seattle's 10th man? Green Bay's cheese heads? Steelers' vocal die hards? Why can't we be like that?

Football is not Chess, Tennis, or Golf....it's Football !!!....in an earlier post "sit on your couch if you want to be seated for the game." A HUGE part of "home-field advantage" is making the other team uncomfortable on critical plays by making a bunch of noise (false starts, delay of game, etc). The mere thought of having a BofA Stadium Staffer asking / telling me to sit down at a football game is nauseating. Having a fellow "fan" telling me to sit says a LOT about that "fan."

My seats are in section 544. There is a group of fans a few rows in front of me that stand when the Panthers are on defense. Most of the remaining fans yell while sitting. I feel fortunate to be in a section where the fans are considerate and coordinated enough to yell while remaining in their seat.

The Panters had one of the loudest and best home field advantages the first few years in the stadium. The stadium literally moved when the crowd cheered. That was when the crowd was at its most "wine and cheese" with PSL owners.

The complaining about the PSL owners is old and tired. I've heard it for years. I'm sure Richardson knows about it. He obviously wants it this way. When he built the stadium he said he wanted it to be a different experience. He has accompolished that goal. It's not changing.

PSL owner in 544. I have been asked to sit down numerous times when standing and cheering the defense. There is a crabby couple that sits beside me that apparently derive great joy from nagging the folks in front of them to sit down. This happens every game. I think it is the highlight of their pathetic lives. One 20 something girl was so mad I thought she was going to hit the old woman. Finally she said she could not be rude to old people and left. We have a long way to go before we have a real home field advantage.

The only time anyone at that stadium stands and makes noise is when there is a college or soccer game played there. The people who do not want to stand up and cheer should watch from their couch and take a note from the College games held there how to support your team.

Where did this rule come from anyway? A few years ago I was asked to sit down during a game and I was angry. My husband disagreed because it was for an elderly man. I still don't get it - it's football! I sat down but I have to admit it really made me angry and I haven't forgotten it. If you wanna sit down to watch a game - stay home! I'm a Charlotte native and a Panther fan - I'm not there as a corporate rep for business reasons - I'm there to cheer my team on and I'm not gonna sit down again (for a child or anyone else for that matter) - it's football for goodness sakes! These rules don't apply to concerts so where did it come from? I don't understand it. Go panthers!

For all: IT IS NOT A RULE! Neither Show Pros or Guest Relations will ever ask someone to sit down. Even if a fan complains, there is nothing that will be done but be "watched." As long as the standing patron is in his/her seat area and not doing anything offensive, there is NOTHING that will be done. That has been the policy for at least the last two years! The issue isn't with the organization or facilities management, it is the other patrons in attendance. Don't blame the Panthers!

To those of you who stand up all the time and yell and scream so i can't see the game,i hope you look in your seat before you sit down.There is nothing better than putting a piece of gum or chocolate in their seat on a hot day and watching someone sit down on it and then stand back up with a mess on the seat of their pants hahaha. Spilling your beer or pulling their seat up before they sit back down works too hehe.

I love the team, but Panther fans are horrible. People don't go to those games to support the team, they go to drink and socialize. I actually heard a lady say that a nearby fan getting loud (while seated) was "an embarrassment to our city." WHAT???

I live in Austin and have never been to a Panthers game, but I grew up in the Charlotte area and became a fan the minute the team was announced. Hearing that the fans are expected to sit during games is embarrassing. I never want to go to a game now. When I see the Longhorns play in Austin we (me and 100,000 of my closest friends) all stand when it's a big play. That's how you show your support!

I dont mind the standing when its game related.....big third down, goal line stand...or something else big going on with the game that you want to marvel and cheer about.

But with that said, i do have 2 problems to complain about related to this topic. 1st, cant people wait in the main aisle until the play is over to interrupt you to get to their seat???? I mean come on man wait until the play is over then say excuse me i want toget to my seat. I have been to many other stadiums and they all use this edicate there. 2ND, i am in Section right over the visitor tunnel, 139 i think it is, and near half time and the end of the game about 10 staff members and 5 cops come down and stand next to the rail at the tunnell. I dont really think it takes all that security to keep people away from the visiting team. I mean what is a stff member going to do with all the cops there. to me they are just doing what the fans want to do but cant. I wish they would have 1 maybe 2 cops and thats it. They really obstruct my view of the best parts of the game.

I went to the Panthers Cowboys playoff game in the 03-04 season and it was incredible. It seemed that everyone stood for the first quarter and most of the second quarter. If you go to the games, you should feel free to stand up. I went to the Vikings game and it was horrible in the upper deck watching everyone sitting. But on Defense, we did get up and make some noise.

I grew up in Philly. We occasionally behave badly - ok we behave badly alot (why else would you have a jail/active court room in your stadium?). Santa still is on oxygen from the snowball he took to the head at the '67 Eagles game - poor kid in the wheel chair participating in the handicapped B'ball game still cant see out of his right eye from the orange hitting him in the face at the '78 Phillies game. Dont even ask about the Flyers fansBut to point - these teams were part of the culture - 2 cases over 100+year old franchises.Fan committment takes timeBeen in Charlotte 30+ - came here when this was a Redskins/Falcons city (known a Pergatory for an Eagles Fan).So give it time -whether you stand or sit down - the fact that you're there is what matters. So ok - maybe we'll never be acused of maming a handicapped kid at half time - but spill a little wine on the Polo of the guy in front of you when Newton/Smith go 85 yards. Never know what might happen - committment starts somewhere - right?

I'm attending my first Panthers home game next year, and i've been a fan since day one. I swear if anyone tells me to sit down during a crucial moment, there will be an altercation. I'm not gonna let someone who should obviously be watching the game at home, ruin my experience. I doubt they have this issue in Green Bay, New Orleans, Oakland, etc.

Anyone that pays the insanely high price for a ticket to attend a game should be able to do whatever they want. I'm a proponent of the old saying, "Every man has every right to swing his fist, but that right ends at another man's face." If you want to sit, then sit. If the person in front of you stands, then I guess you're gonna have to stand if you want to see the field. It's not exactly like they are punching you in the face. If you are unable to stand for any medical reason, you should be able to receive accommodations that prevent this from being an issue at all.

It was 3rd quarter, 3rd down for the Saints a few weeks ago. Like any normal fan, my buddy and I stood up to cheer on the defense. And of course, there was someone behind me who grabbed me and told me to sit down. Really? Its a football game, not a Broadway Show. If you insist on sitting the whole game, I suggest either paying up for some box seats or watching at home. You think this happens at Lambeau Field or the Superdome? No way. No NFL team is afraid to play at Bank of America Stadium. We need to change that. Its our house! Stand up and support the Panthers!

I have to drive 3 hours to go to a game and only get to go to 1 a year and for the last 3 years I've been embarrassed at how the wine and cheese fans are at BOA if you don't want to stand and make noise for your team then stay home!

I have PSL's in section 110 and have never had a problem. This sit or stand situation is being blown up way bigger than it should be.

The common sense rule of thumb is...#1 Never try standing the whole game. #2 OK to stand on defensive 3rd downs. #3 Ok to stand if a TD is scored or something exciting happens. #4 Ok to stand if row in front of you jumps up. #5 when someone (probably pulling for the other team) tells you to sit down, when observing these rules,simply tell them to "get lost".

Scott, Thank you for having this discussion as it's long over due. You will know that my statements about being a supporter and rabid fan are true as we have spent time together at away gsmes, especially the playoffs. I have four seats in section 134 row 1 which of course is row two. We have owned these from day one and attend almost every game. We do not drink or use foul lanuage. I am an avid fan. Two weeks ago my son and I were threaten on three different occasions to either sit down or get our butts kicked. The guy was sitting two rows behind us and was literally crazed about us standing up. We attend every game and I had never seen him before so I tried to politely tell himn he was at a football game and people have right to stand. He became even more out rageous. My wife saw his wife texting we assumed to stadium staff. We contimued to stand when we wanted too and listen to the abuse. No one ever showed up. I had made up my mind that if anything of any consequence came at us I was done as PSL holder. I agree with some of the other comments that Panthers must accept responsibility for trying to develop fan information that attendees know it's O.K. to stand and get loud. This would lead to a solid rabid fan base when we start winning. Being an NFL fan of over 50 years it's hard to hear about the wine and cheese crowd, but we must admit we deserve the rap.

The environment at BOA stadium is generally boring and it doesnt surprise me that this is an issue. You can feel more excitement by watching any other NFL game on tv than you can in person at a panthers game. Stadium staff does little to get fans involved...the most exciting thing they do is play a time Warner commercial on the big screen and then that awesome "bang bang bang" touchdown celebration music. Not to mention the frequent awkward silence. So it doesn't surprise me that they tell people to sit down. It definitely has to do with the culture from the top. Wish it would change.. Hard to be a excited fan when the team/stadium doesn't want you to be in to it. Should just watch from home and save $100.

The Catman, here, Section 104, Front Row. Folk have even asked me to sit! Mostly its been people who don't own PSL's but have bought and paid an enormous amount for their ticket and dont know 'Jack' about being at a Live game! They have reported me and the ushers have asked me to sit. But I get right back up. I am not going to sit down when its time to cheer! On offense when the QB is calling out the signal, I am sitting, as he throws the ball, I'm up! On Def. I'm up! If I'm sitting any its on Offense, and breifly. Its not in my PSL rule book, they need a seated section only like Dallas has a standing section!

My wife and i went to a pre season game against the Jets last year. There was a Panther fan standing and cheering, and other Panther fans had him thrown out. I can't understand the fan base here. Every other stadium you stand and cheer, even right down the street at Checkers games. I will never watch a game there again. It ridiculous. It's football for crying out loud

I think it's ridiculous to spend money and have people tell you to sit down during the exciting parts of the game. I do understand common courtesy where you shouldn't stand up the entire time obstructing the view of others but every game I've been too, it's a domino effect. When there's a big play, a couple stand up then we all stand up, as it should be. When the thrill is gone, sit back down. That's what makes sports entertaining. Enjoy it by having fun! Participate and engage fellow fans! Afterall, it's not that serious!

Section 116 I hear what she's saying. It's awkward to stand and have fans behind you yell "down in front". I have had it happen to me lately, as well. She needs to know that anyone who asks anybody else to sit at a football game is an idiot. . . and it is okay to dismiss their idiotic rants.

I base standing on who is in the row directly behind me. If an opposing fan or prick yuppie wine-cheese jerk, I stand more. If an older Panther fan, I discuss my standing plan with them and stay courteous.

But yes, Jerry Richardson bowing to 'the league', right down to the shield on the field, and keeping the atmosphere sterile for over 15 years is pathetic.

PSL Owner here, had 2 seats in 310, traded those in for 6 seats in 104 to take my entire family.

During the Jax game with the pouring rain, we went out during halftime to get ponchos. Came back in and the 3rd quarter hadn't even started yet and the people behind us said "Can you sit down, we can't see the game." I politely told them we were trying to get the ponchos off our 12, 8 and 3 year olds and then we would sit down.

As the game was winding down and fans started standing up all around us, we had to stand up to see. When this happened, the people behind us (ranging in age from early 30s to mid 60s) told us to sit down again. If we would have sat down we would not have been able to see.

I'm all for respecting my elders, but I pay the same price they do, and have more invested if they don't own the PSLs and I do own PSLs. It's pointless for my family to sit down so someone behind us can see the screen, yet if we sit down we can't see anything.

I have a close relative who has season tickets. The guy in front of the seats never sits down, gets drunk, shouts vulgarities and sometimes picks fights with nearby people who tell nhim to shut up. It makes the seats virtually worthless. After going to two games, I declined ever going again. It did not seem that there was any effective enforcement of decorum at panther games.

It's almost amusing the number of people saying "STAY HOME if you don't want to stand". I'm sure that's exactly what the Panthers were hoping to see. Ticketholders telling others to avoid coming (and paying) to the game. All because the rowdy ones refuse to compromise by sitting some of the game.

Charlotte as a city has no true heart, soul, or personality so I think it's only natural that this would also be true at the football stadium. Lamest and quietest fans in the league. Charlotte is a banking town, a corporate center....there is no blue collar working man feel to this city like there is in all the other great NFL cities with real tradition. That's the way it will always be.